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| Diseye Tantua |
Our number one classy and most stylish male visual artist in Nigeria is
Diseye Tantua. Some may not agree with this, but for years now, he has dazzled
his followers and lovers of his art with his sense of style.
Alonge’s passionate lens, exciting capture
From
Epe, Lagos to Wikki Warm Springs at Yankari, Bauchi State, to Osogbo in Osun
State, to across the Niger Bridge and into remote areas in Nigeria, as well as
other parts of the world, Alonge has seen it all, including underwater and has
documented them.
Passionate
photography and daring adventure are Alonge's great combination, which makes
him a unique and exciting brand. Armed with these two appeals, he has captured
amazing locations and scenery, with his camera. He has travelled to places
across the country, capturing rarely seen photographed treasures and people,
including holiday destinations and hidden wildlife underwater.
The upcoming solo photography exhibition, will feature 30 exhibits. Urban Culture - Historical Continuity presents the
contrast between life in Lagos and nearby villages where time seems to stand
still.
The
exhibition is organised by One Draw and curated by the director of the gallery, Segun Adejumo.
“His
visual language," Adejumo gushes of Alonge's works, "speaks of the
wonders of nature and human exchange, urban culture and searches for historical
continuity, in a world that is sometimes heavily fractured. His lens exposes
contrast and conflict, while offering an alternative vision of one-ness, order
in chaos.
Recurring
themes reflect the challenges people face today and Bolaji manages to expose
beauty where it is not expected. Nigeria is a restless country, with shifting
realities, one foot in the past the other reaching for a better future. Due to
political turmoil, the lives of many were put on hold, which has contributed to
a sense of resilience, but also constant flares of resistance. Music, food and
good times are part of everyday life and a source of pleasure, inspiration and
exuberance."
"Urban
Culture – Historical Continuity is
about Nigeria today," Adejumo continues, "fearlessly looking towards
the future. Alonge also celebrates the wonders of nature by honouring a
tiny green frog. Opolo is a symbol of the abundant wildlife in
the Lagos Lagoon, waiting to be discovered. It is Kerala, the
Amazon and some deep rainforests in South East Asia combined. A beautiful
disaster, exogenous seaweed, has taken over the Lagoon, stopping life in its
tracks. As far as the eye can see, Water Hyacinths create the sensation of
endless green fields, peppered with brilliant pink flowers”.
Alonge's
exhibition includes a rare aerial view of Lagos Marina and the entire Lagos
Central Business District (CBD). While on the streets, chaos seems to be the
norm, from up there Lagos has all the characteristics of an African megapolis,
shining under the sun”. Femi Anikulapo-Kuti and the Queens of the New Afrika
Shrine are also a beloved subject for Alonge, celebrating joy but also deeply
rooted resistance and belief in a better future free from corruption and
strife. The show also touches upon societal concerns such as
#LazyNigerianYouths and the on-going migration crisis.
He also
pictures Makoko, the “Venice of Lagos”. “In the midst of chaos and under the
threat of destruction, Makoko is not only surviving but thriving. In Lagos,
hope is seemingly everlasting”. Another stolen moment is the image of Tarkwa
Bay, an idyllic spot just a short boat ride from the heart of Lagos. In the
background, the first highrise buildings of the Eko Atlantic project
appear.
Alonge
is an artist, photographer, actor and journalist from Lagos, Nigeria. He is
also a globetrotter who has travelled the world during the last decade
documenting exotic culture and history, pushed forward by a wanderlust
instilled in him since childhood.
He was
born in Lagos, first of five siblings with a father in the Nigerian air force,
and a loving mother who took care of the family. His dad passed on his passion
for photography to Bolaji, who spent time with him taking and developing images
as a child. He studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos in the
rowdy nineties, while exploring his acting skills at the famous Theatre 15
UNILAG. Ever since, he has acted in a range of theatre, television and movie
projects.
This
experience and his travels made this artist a great storyteller who loves to
share his photography and the deeper meaning of the stunning images he
presents.
“I
encourage young Africans to take up the camera and document history – those
memories that make up the fabric of existence. In order to move forward we have
to know where we come from. I do it by searching for unique shots, that become
integrated in the mood boards of our lives”.
“I aim
to capture the reality of the average African – a mix of stark realities that
might seem chaotic but have their own functionality – however disorganized it
looks at first sight. Life works in Africa too. The two main components of
chaos theory are the idea that systems, no matter how complex, rely upon an
underlying order, and that very simple or small systems and events can cause
very complex behaviours. This is a red thread throughout my work today”.
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| Alonge |
In May
2017, he organized his Eyes of a Lagos Boy photo exhibition at
the prestigious Freedom Park in Lagos to critical acclaim. The show presented
iconic images of everyday life and societal concerns from Nigeria, Egypt, the
Netherlands, Oman, Germany, India, Turkey and Sweden. The show was declared a
resounding success in terms of attendance and response from both the Nigerian
and international audience, giving birth to his photographic brand. This
project also brought Bolaji closer to Freedom Park, making it his creative
base. “Eyes of a Lagos Boy” ran 20-27 May 2017 at Freedom Park and hosted
Africa’s first Nobel Laureate (Literature), Professor Wole Soyinka, among
numerous guests.
As a
marketing stunt that became popular in its own right, Bolaji came up with
branded t-shirts that have been turning heads in Lagos and abroad. None less
than Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, the son of African superstar and creator of Afrobeat
Fela Anikulapo- Kuti and a global music icon, wears it with pride. Bolaji is a
regular at the New Afrika Shrine, a grove of deep rhythms for those addicted to
freedom. Bolaji has been documenting Femi for years and is a dedicated “shrine
rat”.
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| Alonge with a friend in the sea |
Exhibition
runs till Sunday, November 25 November, 2018. One Draw is an artist experience,
consultancy, gallery, and research centre for the fine arts. One Draw brings
the intuitive representation of the familiar in drawing, painting and
sculpture. The idea is to bring a profound experience into the mundane, to open
the ordinary eyes to the intellectuality in what seems pedestrian by
highlighting through exquisite draughtsmanship and intuitive rendition the
beauty of everyday experience/life.
By Udemma Chukwuma
Imperial exploit of Great Benin - We are not part of IPOB
Of Fractals and Embryos... Life, art as organised jumble
“We are
all a part of one single unfurling fractal reality and connected to each other,"
contemporary Nigerian artist, Godwin Arikpo, jointly exhibiting with Promise
O’nali, has declared.
Why our works are ‘Infinite Treasures’ – Oshinowo, Olaku, others
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| Adaeze by Nwokolo |
Twelve like-minded artists: Reuben Ugbine,
Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, Sam Ovraiti, Duke Asidere, Edosa Ogiugo, Alex
Nwokolo, Fidelis Odogwu, Joshua Nmesirionye, Diseye Tantua, Felix Osiemi and grandmaster
Kolade Oshinowo, will be showing five works each on Saturday, October 27, at
Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, in the sixth
edition of Infinite Treasures which
will run for more than a week.
Olorunyemi shows 'Social Mediate' at Alexis Gallery
‘Why Faces and Places is dedicated to my mother’
“My mother had cancer
at very late age of 75. She went through chemotherapy for a year, it affected
her kidney, heart, ears, skin and other parts of her body. We saw her suffer
and we saw her go bald. Words cannot describe the emotional trauma we (her
children) went through,” says the CEO of Alexis Galleries, Patty Chidiac-Mastrogiannis
during a press preview of Faces and
Places II in Lagos.
Fascinating Lines & Legacy of Kehinde Sanwo on view
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| Ilojo Bar |
Alexis Gallery Shows ‘Wooden Cloth’
The exhibition
of paintings, sculptures and mixed media will be official opened by Prince
(Engr.) Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, revealed the organisers.
To Morakinyo,
artists shouldn’t be limited to one medium,
rather they should explore new medium, which “is refreshing.” You will find his expressions intriguing and
spectacular. His unique way of portraying his thought on canvas is amazing and exciting,
says the curator and the gallery owner Patty Chidiac-Mastrogiannis.
“Every
artist is a novelist, though not all novelists are artists per se, either a
fiction or whatever, you are caravan taking your views on a literary journey,” says
Morakinyo.
As artists influenced
by their environment, and because life and art imitate each other, their works
featured in this exhibition reflect
their emotion, mood, spirit, expression, and reaction to life. Their works
presented in this exhibition depict the intimacy of the subject matter
addressed by the artists. The artists’ subjects reveal both the contents of the
mundane objects encountered everyday and associations of deeply ingrained
memories and constructed ideals. These artists draw from their inspiration from
things around them and their daily activities.
“I draw
my inspiration from nature, event, desires, aspirations, emotions, memories,
passion and experiences. Recently, I’m experimenting on the possibilities of
achieving textural behaviour of colours and light against shade in search of
form and content,” says Okonwko.
Chidiac-Mastrogiannis
says: “Chukz has also mastered the act of recycling with sawdust which he has
been experimenting with for almost twenty. The result is fascinating and colourful
sculptures of wood fibre. His choice of traditional and contemporary medium
shows how versatile and open-minded the artist is. His idea and execution make
his art fresh, inspirational and relevant.”
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Chukz
Okonkwo was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. He exhibited great interest in art
during the early stages of his life and had his first formal art lesson while
in high school. A graduate of Fine Arts from Institute of Management and Technology
Enugu State, where he emerged as the best graduating student in 2001. He has
won several art awards and has held over 55 group and five solo exhibitions
both in Nigeria and abroad. His works are found in many public and private
collections. He has curate and adjudicated a number of art exhibitions and
workshops in Nigeria.
Seye
Morakinyo was born on 1979 in
Igbo-ora, Ibarapa Central Local Government area, Oyo state, Nigeria. He studied
Arts at the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo Sate from 2000
to 2002 with OND certificate and subsequently proceeded for his HND (Higher
National Diploma) and graduated in 2005 with distinction in Painting.
He is
a full time studio artist in Lagos. The first year of his practice year was at
Aina Onabolu Studio at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lago as an artist in
residence with other artists. He works in collages, pebbles and his meticulous
linear expressions. You will find his expressions intriguing and spectacular.
He has participated in several art shows and programs within Nigeria and abroad
by proxy. He is an in-house artist at Alexis Galleries, Nigeria.
He is a member of the
Society of Nigerian Artists. He lives in and work in Lagos.
ABOUT THE GALLERY
In eight years, Alexis Galleries have engaged in the presentation and
dissemination of contemporary art in the media of painting, drawing, mixed
media and sculpture. We have established ourselves rapidly as one of the
best galleries in Nigeria, a meeting place for artists, collectors and
enthusiasts of art.
We have supported artists in organising and showcasing their works and
talents through numerous exhibitions, as we desire to take the Nigerian artists
to greater heights in strengthening the ever vibrant Nigerian Art Circle. Support
of local artists, not only getting their works exhibited in our gallery but
also grow their careers and help promote their fascinating and important
projects.
The
exhibition which is sponsored by Pepsi,
Delta Airline, Amarula, Nederburg, Cobranet Internet Service Provider, Cool FM,
Wazobia FM/TV, Chocolate Royal, The Avenue Suites, Art Café and The Homestores
Limited, will run until Saturday, October 6, 2018.
Artwork by Morakinyo
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